Installing
F-Body Vinyl Inserts/Overlays
with the use of application tape

I'll give you some directions here on how best to
install the vinyl inserts and overlays I have which I do send with the application
tape. Note: Application tape is put over the top of the vinyl and used to peel
the vinyl away from the its backing and then apply the entire vinyl graphic at once.
Once the vinyl is applied then the application tape is peeled away. Certain
types of inserts and overlays I do include the application tape with because it is easier
to install them with the tape. Because there is application tape, the installation
is somewhat different than those inserts overlays and graphics which do not include the
application tape.

Below you'll see specific details for installing
Z28 overlays but the theory will be the same for installing any vinyl graphics which will
be installed with the application tape.

You are going to need a few household supplies to do
the install. You'll need some rubbing alcohol, a sprayer, some cheap liquid
dishwashing soap, scissors, and some paper towels or cotton rags.

NOTE: For reflective vinyl, do NOT use water
as described on this page. The engineering grade reflective vinyl that I use has a
different type adhesive. This adhesive sometimes doesn't respond well to
installations done using water! Most times it works fine but in some cases the
letters don't stick well and the edges start to peel. Not using water to aid in the
installation will prevent this problem from happening (so long as the surface is clean and
free of wax!).

Take your CLEAN and preferably NEW sprayer bottle and fill it
about 1/2 way with water. Now take your cheap (the cheaper the better!) liquid
dishwashing soap and put ONE DROP in the sprayer bottle. Fill up the bottle the rest
of the way with water. What this does for you is allows you some "screw
up" room with your vinyl decal. The soap and water will allow you to adjust
your vinyl if you don't get it perfect the first time. NOTE: Just because one
drop of soap is good, don't think two drops will be better! If you get too much soap
in your water (more than about a drop) it will take hours for your vinyl to dry and stick
good to the car and this can cause problems.

You want to start with a clean car! Wash the
car good like you normally would. After you have completed washing the car, take the
rubbing alcohol and a paper towel or rag and go over the area where the vinyl will be
placed. This will remove any wax and oil residue from the area and ensure the vinyl
decal will stick good.

Since in this case we are actually installing an
overlay and not just putting a piece of vinyl anywhere on the car, placement of the vinyl
on the car is very important. Because you must place the vinyl exactly in a certain
spot in order for it to look right, trim the edges of the vinyl graphic with a pair of
scissors. Get as close as you can because it will make placing the vinyl over the
emblem much easier!

With everything ready to go, you are now ready to
apply the overlay to the emblem. In order to give yourself a second shot (in case
you screw up and you probably will ;) spray down the entire emblem with your soap and
water mixture. Don't skimp with the water... it is cheap and will allow you to
correct your mistakes :)

You will also want to spray the back side of your
vinyl to ensure you get enough water between the vinyl and the emblem. Peel the
application tape away from the vinyl backing. As you peel the vinyl should come up
with the application tape like it has in the picture to the right. If it doesn't,
put the overlay back down and on a flat surface press the application tape down tight onto
the vinyl and this should help it stick a little better. Once you get the
application tape and vinyl peeled off the vinyl backing, lay it in your hand and spray it
with your soap and water mixture as shown to the right.

This is the critical part. GENTLY place the
overlay where it should go on the emblem but do NOT press down on the overlay.
Pressing down firmly will make it stick for good and if it is not in the correct position
you may not be able to correct your mistake! With the overlay gently laying on top
of the emblem, ensure it is in the correct position. If it is not, slowly peel it
away, move it slightly, and gently place it back on the emblem. If you are having
trouble seeing where it should be placed it sometimes helps if you wet the application
tape... it makes it easier to "see through". Also, you may need to take it
off completely and squirt some more water on the emblem and overlay if it starts to stick
on you and you don't want it to. Take your time here and get it right... this Z28
overlay is probably one of the more difficult ones to install because of all the detail on
the emblem. Once you are certain you have it in the correct position, gently press
down on the overlay starting in the center and working your way out. This will help
to remove any air bubbles trapped between the overlay and the emblem. Rub the
overlay onto the emblem firmly once you have worked all the air bubbles out.

After rubbing it for a couple minutes you may be able
to remove the application tape. Gently start at one end and begin peeling the
application tape back. Depending on the weather, how much soap you used, and how
long you waited, the vinyl may or may not come up with the application tape. If the
vinyl does start come off the emblem and up with the application tape, STOP... put the
application tape back down on the vinyl overlay/emblem and rub more and wait a little
longer. Once it has "dried" long enough, you will be able to gently peel
the application tape off while leaving the vinyl overlay on the emblem as shown to the
right.

Once you have the application tape completely removed
you may want to hurry and get the water off the car. Just be careful and don't rub
over the vinyl just yet... give it several hours to dry to ensure it sticks good. If
you rub over it right now there is a chance it could come up. You have to give the
soapy water mixture time to evaporate from under the vinyl IF you didn't "rub"
it all out previously.